She wandered the shadows of the streets day and night, face hidden and a frayed basket in her hands. A beggar. Shunned, she became like a bit of dust in the breeze, lost among the many faceless passerby. But she would not be deterred. Her task was one worthy of determination, it was too important to be left to chance.

For she was not trying to get, but to give.

The beggar bore the basket before her as if it were made of spun glass and it was only her sheer will power holding it together. She offered it up to any gentlemanly face that came her way.

“Please sir, will you take this gift?”

But those few that did not pass by her wordlessly, simply gazed at it momentarily before unintelligibly muttering what she presumed to be an apology and continued on their way.

“Please sir, will you take this gift? All I ask is for one in return.”

Each day she tirelessly asked her question, hoping that one day someone would accept.

Once there was a man. He stopped, peering in the basket. The beggar held her breath, for the look on his face seemed to reflect intrigue. And perhaps, if she was not mistaken… But she was. The man laughed and knocked the basket from her hands before sweeping past her with a flourish. The basket tumbled to the dust and bounced, with the beggar stumbling after it.

She collected up the basket and its single content, which was now bruised. But she clung to some foolish hope that someone may still want it and repair it. But now each day seemed not to pass her by, but rather settled upon her weary shoulders. Time began to appear to her as an insatiable beast, feeding on the sorrows she tried to keep hidden deep within her.

Then there was another man. Like the first, this one paused beside her before inquiring about her gift. She held the basket to him, a faint tremble in her arms.

“Please sir, will you take it?”

He looked inside and paused, the seconds racing by as she prepared to give into hope once more.

“All I ask is for one in return.”

He smiled, but it seemed to be a reflection of bittersweet pain rather than cheer.

“Why miss,” he said sweetly, placing a hand above hers which held the basket. “I would. But I am not worthy currently. You see, mine own is broken now and I cannot take another. But let me give you this advice: Do not give yours away so freely. Learn to care for your own before taking another. Realize just how wonderful yours is, and then you will be able to find someone who can care for it as needed. But it will take patience and strength. Just do not forget that you are magnificent.”

And with that, and a kiss atop her forehead, he was gone again.

As the stranger’s words sunk in, the beggar decided that she would be a beggar no more.

She looked down at the content of her basket. It would be difficult to carry in her arms without the wicker to support it. Awkward, heavy even. At least at first.

But with time, she could learn. Then maybe, just maybe, she could have an encounter with that fleeting fate called luck. But until then, she could depend on herself, for she was magnificent.

Slowly the beggar lowered the basket to the dirt and pulled out its single content which she had previously offered so freely: her heart.

Romance is hard. Or maybe I'm just doing it wrong. Regardless, I was rejected today. Again. Alas, rather than dissolving into a puddle of tears in the corner or listening to Taylor Swift-esque goat songs on repeat, this happened instead.

And now that this is finished, maybe I'll go watch some more Supernatural. Yes, watching two hot guys beat the crap out of some demons is something I could use right now.

Cheers.

Edit (11/7/13): Oh you wonderful, wonderful readers! Thank you all so very much (and especially ^GrimFace242 for the DD feature), hugs all around! Really, your support means so much to me and is what keeps me inspired. That said, I've got a couple more pieces in the works right now, in addition to battling with NaNoWriMo, but since I'm currently much too excited for my post-work nap, I suppose that lots of writing shall get done tonight.Also, regarding the situation I mentioned had prompted this piece, that has since become an event of the past. Life continued on, other opportunities presented themselves. To anyone reading this who may be finding themselves in a currently not-so-happy place, I say this: keep your chin up, you are better than any challenge, and if necessary, Jensen Ackles will never let you down.

This is actually so helpful and such a blessing to have read it at this time. Recently, a very close friend completely broke by heart and betrayed me in ways that almost anyone who knows her would hardly even believe. I've been off, not myself, since this happened. I started acting as the beggar. But I think this is exactly what I needed to read right about now.

I long ago took up writing as my own way of trying to help others, whether it was in the form of an imagination adventure to get through the doldrums of everyday life or some deeper allegory addressing emotional difficulties. For you to say that my words helped you in some way means so much to me, and I thank you. Stay strong, the phrase 'It gets better' is cliche and overused for a reason: because it's true.

Btw, I snuck a peek at your profile, and that Toothless hat is ADORABLE. If I wasn't busy trying to pay off a bunch of debt (thanks school...) I would buy one in a heartbeat.

Basically, a Daily Deviation is a feature that reaches the entire site, which gives the featured artists much more exposure on their featured work ... Hope it helps ... On my front page, I put a lot of answers to common questions, you can access them quickly if you click "Help" on my "Profile Directory" (which is the top custom box on the left)

So wisely done... this is so true and sweet! And I believe it's so beautiful to use the pain of rejection to create something of your own (and express/release your feelings that way). I really needed to read something like this, thanks!

First, congrats on the DD ! Also, I actually am not quite interested in literature here on dA, but this one's title was catchy to begin with. I mean, "The Beggar's Gift", romance ? What could it be ?And what was it ? Well, a well-written tale, with its own morality, its cuteness, without being totally out of reality either (who would respect a beggar, after all ?), and using a kind of wonderful metaphor. Truly, it touched me in a really good way.

Also, I happened to translate it in French for a friend who doesn't speak English very well, and while my translating attempt obviously wasn't perfect, it forced me to read thoroughly the whole tale again, just to be amazed by it once again.

Congrats again ! Not only on the DD, but on the quality of the work as well. <3I wish you luck ! -^^-

Thank you so much for the comment and kind words, it's feedback like yours that always keeps me inspired to continue writing and to challenge myself. And I'm so flattered you found my work worthwhile enough to share with your friend! Thanks again!